Friday, January 13, 2012

Capt. Sibley and CO "H" of the new 29th Regiment

I do not know much about this company's stay at the camp yet. As I have stated before, the original 29th was merged into the 28th. The state soon began to form a new 29th Regiment (not Irish). early in 1861 seven companieas were sent to Ft. Warren. here they formed a battalion. When the time came to form a new 29th the state used these seven companies as the core of the new regiment. (1)
One of the three new companies was recruited by Henry R. Sibley of Charlestown. Since this group celebrated Christmas while still in Charlestown it is clear that this companydid not move to Cameron  until late December or early Jan, where they were under the general command of the 28th Regiment, until that regiment left on the 11th. From this date until the 29th also left for the war on the 13th they had the responsibliity of guarding the camp and the property in it. (2)

(1) The History of the Tewnty-Ninth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in The Late War of Rebellion, Osborne, William H., Boston, Albert J. Wright, 1877, pg. 13
(2) The History of the Tewnty-Ninth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in The Late War of Rebellion, Osborne, William H., Boston, Albert J. Wright, 1877, pg. 104

DAN SULLIVAN

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The 9TH REGIMENTAL BAND

I recently discovered a group that I was unaware of that spent time at Camp Cameron. This was the regimental band for the 9th Regiment. When the regiment left the state the band was not yet ready. Lt. P. W. Black was assigned the task of remaining behind and recruiting this group. He did this at Cameron. He recruited 22 men for the band, which was lead by Michael O'Connor. This fact was reported in the Boston Evening transcript on July 3, 1861. At that time the band was schedualed to join its regiment within the week. (1) This was delayed, which was not uncommon. Records show that Patrick Burns deserted from the camp on July 18. So this group occupied  Camp Cameron from at least July 3, to at least July 18, 1861. (2)
This would have put them in the camp at the same time as the 16th regiment.

(1) Boston Evening Transcript, July 3, 1861, pg. 1
(2) Record of the Massachusetts Volunteers, 1861-1865, Wright & Potter, Printers to the State, pg. 83, 1870.

DAN SULLIVAN

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

MASS. 28th Regiment leaves for the seat of war.

On December 23, 1861 a detacment of the 28th was sent to the Cambridge Cemetery for the purpose of paying final respects to a fallen soldiers. This was John Irving. Irving was a resident of Cambridge and a member of CO I in the 24th Regiment. He in Annapolis of lung desease. His body was escorted to the cemetary by recruits from the 28th and a very large crowd of civilians. Before the advent of modern medicine, sickness claimed as many men in war as fighting. The service was performed by Rev. Dr. Hoppin. (1)
A few days later the 28th also lost one of its own members, William Walton of Lowell. He was a private in CO G and left behid a wife and two young children. The cause of his death is not known. (2)
In early Jan. the Secretary of War sent word for the 28th to begin preparing to leave the state. Col. Monteith, the new commander of the 28th, communicated to Gen. Butler that the command was fully equipted and ready to leave on Jan. 11, 1862. Their baggae wagons began arriving in Boston around nine A.M.at the Worcester Depot. Marching from Camp Cameron the troops did not arrive on Boston Common until Two P.M. before continueing on to the train station. From Boston they traveled to Ft. Columbus in NY where they continued their training for about another month. They brought with them three flags that had been presented to them the day before by Gov. Andrew and Mayor Wightman. Wightman's flag was green silk and combined both American and Irish themes. Andrew gave the regiment a State flag as well as the U.S. flag. Both men made speeches. (3)
On the way to Worcester, Private Patrick Wall of CO A fell off the train and lost one of his legs. (4)

(1) Boston Evening Transcript, Dec. 23, 1861, pg. 2
(2)  Boston Evening Transcript, Dec.30, 1861, pg. 4
(3) Boston Evening Transcript, Jan.11, 1862, pg. 2-4
(4) Boston Evening Transcript, Jan. 13, 1862 pg. 2